Mahavir Jayanti is a very significant and religious festival that is celebrated among the Jain community with glory and a huge celebration in India as well as across the globe. The day is celebrated to honor the birth of Lord Mahavira.
Mahavira Jayanti, in some of the states in India, is greatly celebrated with lots of devotion and glory and those states are as follows: Karnataka, Delhi, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Mahavira Jayanti Date
According to Jain mythology, Lord Mahavira is observed on the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls either in the month of March or else in April. As per the Jain texts, Mahaveer was born in the month of Chaitra, on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon, way back in the year 599 BCE. In the year 2020, Mahavir Jayanti is going to be celebrated on the 6th of April 2020 (Monday).
Mahavir Jayanti Significance
Lord Mahavira was born on Chaitra month in Kundalagrama in Bihar, which is few kilometers away from Patna (now known as Kundalpur). His parents King Siddhartha and Queen Trisala named him Vardhaman. However, Swetambar Jains believe that Mahavira was born in 599 BC while the Digambar Jains on the other hand, believe that He was born on 615 BC as his birth year.
For the duration of Mahavir’s birth, the surroundings and the atmosphere were believed to be very peaceful. It is believed that gods and goddesses from the heavens pay homage to the Tirthankara.
When Mahavira was at his 30, he left his throne along with his family in order to search for the truth. He then lived his further life in exile for 12 years as an ascetic. Throughout this time, he addressed non-violence and teaches that people should treat everyone with huge respect.
Born with the name Vardhaman, he also got his name “Mahavira” when he showed extraordinary skills in controlling the senses. It is hugely belied that when Mahavira was 72 years old, he achieved enlightenment (Nirvana).
Mahavir has traveled all across India and wherever he reached, he delivered His lessons to eliminate irrational or false beliefs. He established dharma for establishing moral values, ethics, as well as truthfulness. Mahavir addressed non-violence and to forbid the killing. He also stated that human beings can get a lot of benefits just by meditating as well as by observing fasts.
Mahavir Jayanti Celebration & Rituals
On Mahavir Jayanti, the devotees observe fast all day long. The day is started with taking a bath early morning and then decorating your Puja room with the flowers. After that, devotees visit Jain temples and give a ritualistic bath to the Mahabir idol in the temple. Other than that, flowers, rice, fruits are offered. A flag s fixed at the top of the temple and chant Mahavir Jayanti prayers. Devotees also offer clothes, money, food or any basic needs to the poor or needy.
